Substance Abuse Disorders

A substance-related disorder can include intoxication, harmful use/abuse, dependence, withdrawal, psychoses, or amnesia associated with the use of the substance in question. But is usually associated with substance abuse, which often involves maladaptive behaviors performed over a long period of time. In order to be diagnosed with substance dependence an individual must display at least three of the following for a 12-month period: “development of tolerance to the substance, withdrawal symptoms, persistent desire/unsuccessful attempts to stop using the substance, ingestion of larger amounts of substance, declined life functioning, and persistent use of substance.”

Substance abuse is most common among people 18 to 25 years of age, it is also more common in males than females and in urban residents compared to those who live in rural areas. Over 50 percent of individuals with substance abuse issues have been found to have another psychiatric disorder, something that is termed Comorbid Psychiatric Diagnosis. Substance abuse is different in every person and in terms of the substance abused, the pattern of use, and the type of comorbid illness present, if any.Addiction Disorders